Why Social Media Image Specs Matter
Every social media platform compresses and resizes images that you upload. If you upload an image that does not match the platform's expected dimensions, it will be cropped, scaled, or recompressed — often with poor results. You lose control over how your image looks to your audience.
By preparing your images at the exact dimensions each platform expects, you achieve three things:
- Visual quality: Your images look sharp and professional, not blurry or pixelated
- Proper framing: Your composition is preserved — no unexpected cropping cuts off important elements
- Consistent branding: Your content looks intentional and polished across every platform
This guide provides the complete, current specifications for every major social media platform in 2026, along with practical conversion workflows for preparing images at scale.
Platform Image Size Requirements (2026)
Instagram remains one of the most image-focused platforms, and getting dimensions right is critical because Instagram heavily recompresses images.
| Content Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square Post | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | 30 MB |
| Portrait Post | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | 30 MB |
| Landscape Post | 1080 x 566 | 1.91:1 | 30 MB |
| Story / Reel Cover | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 30 MB |
| Profile Picture | 320 x 320 | 1:1 | - |
| Carousel | 1080 x 1080 (or 1080 x 1350) | 1:1 or 4:5 | 30 MB per image |
Format recommendation: JPEG at quality 95+ or PNG. Instagram converts everything to JPEG internally, but uploading at high quality minimizes the recompression damage. The 4:5 portrait ratio (1080 x 1350) takes up the most screen real estate in the feed, making it the best choice for maximum engagement.
| Content Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feed Post (shared image) | 1200 x 630 | 1.91:1 | Optimal for link shares too |
| Square Post | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | Works well in feed |
| Cover Photo | 820 x 312 | ~2.63:1 | Displays at 820x312 on desktop, 640x360 on mobile |
| Profile Picture | 170 x 170 | 1:1 | Uploaded at 170x170 minimum |
| Event Cover | 1920 x 1005 | 1.91:1 | Higher resolution for events |
| Story | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Same as Instagram Stories |
| Group Cover | 1640 x 856 | 1.91:1 | Displays differently on mobile |
Format recommendation: JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics with text. Facebook's compression is aggressive — upload at maximum quality to preserve as much detail as possible.
Twitter / X
| Content Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-stream image (single) | 1200 x 675 | 16:9 | Best for timeline display |
| In-stream image (two images) | 700 x 800 each | 7:8 | Two-image layout |
| In-stream image (four images) | 700 x 800 each | 7:8 | Four-image grid |
| Profile Picture | 400 x 400 | 1:1 | Displayed as circle |
| Header/Banner | 1500 x 500 | 3:1 | Large horizontal banner |
| Card Image (summary) | 120 x 120 | 1:1 | Small card thumbnail |
| Card Image (large summary) | 600 x 335 | ~1.79:1 | Large link card |
Format recommendation: JPEG or PNG (under 5 MB). Twitter supports WebP uploads as well. Images over 5 MB are rejected; GIFs under 15 MB are supported.
| Content Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feed Post (shared image) | 1200 x 627 | 1.91:1 | Standard share image |
| Square Post | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | Good for infographics |
| Profile Picture | 400 x 400 | 1:1 | Displayed as circle |
| Cover/Banner | 1584 x 396 | 4:1 | Wide banner format |
| Company Logo | 300 x 300 | 1:1 | Square logo |
| Company Cover | 1128 x 191 | ~5.9:1 | Very wide format |
| Article Cover Image | 744 x 400 | 1.86:1 | Published article header |
Format recommendation: JPEG or PNG. LinkedIn is relatively gentle with compression. Professional photos and infographics look good at quality 85-90.
TikTok
| Content Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Thumbnail | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Cover image for videos |
| Profile Picture | 200 x 200 | 1:1 | Displayed as circle |
| Slideshow Images | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Photo carousel posts |
Format recommendation: JPEG or PNG at 9:16 vertical. TikTok is primarily a video platform, but image posts and slideshow carousels are increasingly common. For video specs, see our social media video specs guide.
| Content Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Pin | 1000 x 1500 | 2:3 | Optimal for feeds |
| Square Pin | 1000 x 1000 | 1:1 | Works but less prominent |
| Long Pin | 1000 x 2100 | 1:2.1 | Maximum 1:2.1 ratio |
| Profile Picture | 165 x 165 | 1:1 | Small display size |
| Board Cover | 222 x 150 | ~1.48:1 | Thumbnail crop |
Format recommendation: JPEG or PNG. Pinterest favors vertical images — the 2:3 ratio (1000 x 1500) gets the most real estate in the feed. Long pins (up to 1:2.1) can be effective for infographics and step-by-step tutorials.
Pro Tip: The 1080 x 1350 pixel image at 4:5 aspect ratio is the most versatile single size. It works well on Instagram (optimal feed size), Facebook (displays nicely), and can be cropped to landscape or square for other platforms. If you can only create one version of an image, start with 1080 x 1350 and crop variations from there.
Format Recommendations by Platform
Different platforms handle different formats in different ways. Here is a consolidated recommendation:
| Platform | Best Format | Avoid | Max File Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPEG (Q95), PNG for graphics | BMP, TIFF | 30 MB | |
| JPEG (Q90+), PNG for text-heavy | TIFF, RAW | 30 MB | |
| Twitter/X | JPEG, PNG, WebP | BMP, TIFF | 5 MB (images) |
| JPEG, PNG | HEIC, WebP | 10 MB | |
| TikTok | JPEG, PNG | RAW, TIFF | 15 MB |
| JPEG, PNG | BMP, TIFF | 20 MB |
For converting between formats, use our image converter. For quick conversions to the most common web formats, our JPG converter and PNG converter handle the job efficiently.
Aspect Ratio Guide
Understanding aspect ratios helps you plan compositions that work across multiple platforms:
Common Aspect Ratios
| Ratio | Dimensions Example | Platforms | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 (square) | 1080 x 1080 | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter | Universal, works everywhere |
| 4:5 (portrait) | 1080 x 1350 | Instagram (optimal), Facebook | Maximum feed real estate |
| 9:16 (vertical) | 1080 x 1920 | Stories, Reels, TikTok | Full-screen mobile content |
| 16:9 (landscape) | 1200 x 675 | Twitter, YouTube thumbnails, LinkedIn | Standard widescreen |
| 1.91:1 (wide) | 1200 x 628 | Facebook links, LinkedIn shares | Link preview cards |
| 2:3 (tall portrait) | 1000 x 1500 | Pinterest-optimized | |
| 3:1 (ultra-wide) | 1500 x 500 | Twitter header | Banner/header images |
Multi-Platform Strategy
If you create content for multiple platforms, design with cropping in mind:
- Start with the largest canvas — 1080 x 1920 (9:16) captures the most vertical space
- Keep critical content centered — leave margins of at least 15% on all sides for safe cropping
- Export platform-specific crops from the master image:
- Center crop to 1:1 for square posts
- Center crop to 4:5 for Instagram portrait
- Center crop to 16:9 for Twitter/YouTube
- Use the full vertical for Stories/Reels/TikTok
Step-by-Step Conversion Workflow
Single Image, Multiple Platforms
Here is a practical workflow for preparing one image for all major platforms:
- Start with a high-resolution source — at least 2000px on the shortest side
- Edit and color correct in your photo editor of choice
- Create platform-specific exports:
# Using ImageMagick to generate all social media sizes from one source
# Instagram Square (1080x1080) - center crop
convert source.jpg -gravity center -crop 1:1 +repage \
-resize 1080x1080 -quality 95 instagram-square.jpg
# Instagram Portrait (1080x1350)
convert source.jpg -gravity center -crop 4:5 +repage \
-resize 1080x1350 -quality 95 instagram-portrait.jpg
# Facebook/LinkedIn share (1200x630)
convert source.jpg -gravity center -crop 1.91:1 +repage \
-resize 1200x630 -quality 90 facebook-share.jpg
# Twitter (1200x675)
convert source.jpg -gravity center -crop 16:9 +repage \
-resize 1200x675 -quality 90 twitter-post.jpg
# Pinterest (1000x1500)
convert source.jpg -gravity center -crop 2:3 +repage \
-resize 1000x1500 -quality 90 pinterest-pin.jpg
# Story/Reel (1080x1920)
convert source.jpg -gravity center -crop 9:16 +repage \
-resize 1080x1920 -quality 95 story.jpg
Batch Processing for Content Calendars
If you prepare social media content in advance (weekly or monthly batches), automate the process:
#!/bin/bash
# Process all images in a folder for Instagram (4:5 portrait)
INPUT_DIR="./source-images"
OUTPUT_DIR="./instagram-ready"
mkdir -p "$OUTPUT_DIR"
for img in "$INPUT_DIR"/*.{jpg,jpeg,png}; do
[ -f "$img" ] || continue
filename=$(basename "$img")
name="${filename%.*}"
convert "$img" \
-gravity center \
-crop 4:5 +repage \
-resize 1080x1350 \
-quality 95 \
-sampling-factor 4:2:0 \
"$OUTPUT_DIR/${name}.jpg"
echo "Processed: ${filename}"
done
For more batch processing approaches, see our how to batch convert files guide.
Pro Tip: When cropping for social media, always check where the platform will overlay text or UI elements. Instagram places the username and caption at the bottom of feed images, so avoid putting critical content in the bottom 15% of your image. Stories and Reels overlay text at both the top and bottom — keep your subject centered vertically.
Image Compression for Social Media
Why Pre-Compression Matters
Every social media platform recompresses your image after upload. You cannot avoid this. But by uploading a high-quality, properly-sized image, you minimize the damage from the platform's recompression.
Here is the paradox: uploading a moderately compressed JPEG (quality 85) can actually look worse after platform recompression than uploading a high-quality JPEG (quality 95). This is because the platform applies its compression on top of your compression, compounding artifacts. Starting with higher quality gives the platform more to work with.
Recommended Upload Quality by Platform
| Platform | Upload Quality | Why |
|---|---|---|
| JPEG Q95-100, or PNG | Instagram compresses aggressively — start high | |
| JPEG Q90+, PNG for graphics | Moderate compression, higher quality helps | |
| Twitter/X | JPEG Q90+, PNG under 5 MB | Keep under size limit, quality 90 minimum |
| JPEG Q85-90 | Relatively gentle compression | |
| TikTok | JPEG Q90+, PNG | Video-first platform, images recompressed |
| JPEG Q85-90 | Good compression handling |
For optimizing images before upload, our image compressor lets you find the right quality/size balance. Use it to reduce file sizes while staying within each platform's limits.
Text on Images: Special Considerations
Images with text overlays (quotes, announcements, infographics) require extra care:
Format Choice for Text
Always use PNG for images with text — especially for Facebook and Twitter. JPEG compression creates visible artifacts around text edges (blocking, smearing, color bleeding) that make text look unprofessional.
PNG preserves text sharpness because its lossless compression does not introduce artifacts. The file will be larger, but the visual quality difference on text-heavy images is dramatic.
Text Readability Tips
- Minimum font size: 24pt for mobile readability (remember, most social media is viewed on phones)
- High contrast: Dark text on light backgrounds or vice versa, with a semi-transparent overlay if needed
- Safe margins: Keep text at least 10% away from all edges to avoid cropping
- Limited text: Instagram and Facebook may reduce reach for images with too much text (the old "20% rule" is no longer enforced by Facebook but high-text images still perform worse algorithmically)
Color Space and Profile Considerations
sRGB Is the Standard
All social media platforms display images in sRGB color space. If your images are in a wider color space (Adobe RGB, ProPhoto RGB, Display P3), they may look desaturated or shifted when uploaded.
Always convert to sRGB before uploading:
# Convert from any color space to sRGB
convert input.jpg -profile sRGB.icc output.jpg
# Or strip the profile (browsers/platforms assume sRGB)
convert input.jpg -strip output.jpg
Common Color Issues
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Colors look washed out | Adobe RGB image without conversion | Convert to sRGB |
| Colors look different across platforms | Inconsistent color profiles | Embed sRGB profile |
| Dark images look too dark | CMYK color space | Convert to RGB/sRGB |
| Colors shift on mobile vs desktop | Display P3 profile | Convert to sRGB for consistency |
Platform-Specific Tips
- Upload at 1080px wide minimum (wider images are downscaled, narrower images look blurry)
- Use 4:5 portrait for maximum feed visibility
- Carousel posts: use consistent dimensions across all images in the set
- Grid planning: consider how individual posts look together in your profile grid
- Link share images are automatically cropped to 1.91:1 — design your Open Graph images at 1200 x 630
- Cover photos display at different crops on desktop and mobile — test both views
- Facebook heavily compresses images over 2048px wide — resize before uploading
Twitter / X
- Single images display at 16:9; multiple images display at 7:8
- Twitter strips EXIF data including GPS location (good for privacy)
- PNGs under 900 pixels wide are not recompressed (useful for pixel-perfect graphics)
- Vertical images (2:3 or taller) dramatically outperform square or landscape
- Rich, saturated colors tend to perform better on Pinterest
- Text overlay images work well for tutorials and recipes
- Use high-resolution images (2x the display size) since Pinterest users often zoom in
Tools and Resources
For preparing social media images efficiently:
- Image Converter — Convert between formats and resize to exact dimensions
- Image Compressor — Optimize file sizes for upload limits
- PNG Converter — Export text-heavy images as crisp PNGs
- JPG Converter — Export photographs as optimized JPEGs
- WebP Converter — Smallest file sizes (where platforms accept WebP)
For video content dimensions and specs, see our comprehensive social media video specs guide. For general image optimization best practices, check out best image format for web and SEO.
Summary
Getting social media images right boils down to:
- Know the dimensions — Use the exact pixel sizes each platform expects
- Choose the right format — JPEG at quality 90+ for photos, PNG for text and graphics
- Crop intentionally — Keep subjects centered, leave safe margins for UI overlays
- Upload at high quality — Let the platform do the compression, not you (beforehand)
- Automate when possible — Batch convert and resize to save time on recurring content
Follow these guidelines and your social media images will look consistently sharp and professional across every platform.
